Image pickup apparatus that performs gimbal control

Abstract

An image pickup apparatus that can be reduced in weight and size while ensuring gimbal control with high accuracy. The image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup device through which an optical axis of an optical lens passes, a zoom lens barrel, supported by a connection part, which changes a focal length by moving the optical lens in an optical axis direction, and a first drive device including one end to which the connection part is fixed, which rotates the zoom lens barrel about an axis substantially orthogonal to the optical axis via the connection part, wherein in the optical axis direction with reference to the image pickup device, as a center of gravity of an assembly including all components connected to the one end moves due to the focal length change, the connection part moves to follow a movement of the center of gravity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image pickup apparatus comprising:
 an optical lens;   an image pickup device through which an optical axis of the optical lens passes;   a zoom lens barrel configured to change a focal length by moving the optical lens in a direction of the optical axis;   a connection part configured to support the zoom lens barrel; and   a first drive device including one end to which the connection part is fixed, and configured to rotate, via the connection part, the zoom lens barrel about a first axis substantially orthogonal to the optical axis,   wherein in the direction of the optical axis with reference to the image pickup device, as a center of gravity of an assembly formed of all components connected to one end side of the first drive device moves due to the change in the focal length, the connection part moves to follow a direction of the movement of the center of gravity.   
     
     
         2 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the direction of the optical axis with reference to the image pickup device, as the center of gravity moves due to the change in the focal length, the connection part moves such that the first axis passes through the center of gravity. 
     
     
         3 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the direction of the optical axis with reference to the image pickup device, as the center of gravity moves due to the change in the focal length, the connection part moves such that a difference between a position of the center of gravity and a position of the first axis is not larger than before the position of the center of gravity moves. 
     
     
         4 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein in the direction of the optical axis with reference to the image pickup device, as the center of gravity moves due to the change in the focal length, the connection part moves such that a difference between a position of the center of gravity and a position of the first axis is within a predetermined range. 
     
     
         5 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the zoom lens barrel includes a movable ring connected to the connection part. 
     
     
         6 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the movable ring moves in the direction of the optical axis in conjunction with the optical lens through a cam follower engagement, in the zoom lens barrel. 
     
     
         7 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the connection part is connected to an outer peripheral surface of the movable ring. 
     
     
         8 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising
 a second drive device configured to rotate the zoom lens barrel about the optical axis or a second axis substantially parallel to the optical axis,   wherein the movable ring and the connection part are connected to each other via the second drive device.   
     
     
         9 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising
 a bearing including an inner ring fixed to the movable ring and an outer ring fixed to the connection part,   wherein the movable ring and the connection part are connected to each other via the bearing.   
     
     
         10 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the inner ring of the bearing is fixed to an outer peripheral surface of the movable ring. 
     
     
         11 . The image pickup apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the second drive device and the bearing are disposed to overlap each other when viewed in the direction of the optical axis.